"All this 'struggle of ancient powers' stuff may leave me behind but there's one thing I do understand and that's class politics. I'm going to make sure we've sold some tickets to the 'great and good' before we invite the good everyday people of Gamay.

Then, when we've got their money, I'll go amongst the people and invite them along. Let the lords and ladies think that they'll not have to share their evening with the rest of society. By the time they realise that they will, they'll already have paid up!

I've no objection to a bit of deception and chicanery if it's for a good cause!"

((I appologise for taking so damn long on this. Its been too busy recently and appathy set in. Though this is not an excuse I shall have to try a lot harder in the future to keep track of time and these type of things. On a side note I hope you like all of the NPC's I have placed in here for you all))

*A small child runs through the door and appraoches Vitalany holding what looks like a letter with an important seal. The drow pays the boy a copper and shoos him away with a wave of her hand before picking up a pen and putting the final touches to a long list she appears to have been working on. A large grin crosses her face as she holds the paper up and coughs to clear her throat*

Well MR Crook it appears that your guest list has finally arrived.

*she waves the list around before handing it to Dr. Crook. On it is a list of names and how much gold was raised from selling the tickets.*

Ahem...... Yes, thank you Vitalany- that would help a great deal. If you could also audition the entertainment as well that would be grand. We need a chamber orchestra, a good dance band and assorted minstrels and Jongleurs. I get the feeling that we won't get many timewasters if you are overseeing things.

Right, I need a cup for the horse race winner, a "golden arrow" for the archery competition and I need to work out an order of events. Furthermore - we need more security- Hmmmm, The current Commander of the Albion Army owes me and Nick a favour...... *the Doc Busies himself about various tasks......smiling and saying...*

You know, this might just work........

_________________"I'll give you the octopus, I hate the way it looks!"

*Vitalany stands and nods at Dr. Crook before gathering up her scarf and muffler. She bows with a smile and proceeds towards the door*

"I shall see what I can sort out for you. It may take a while and with what money you have I shall try and gain you access to the best entertainment in the city. No doubt though that I could make some people pay to perform in front of some of out destinguished guests."

*A couple of days later Vitalany returns to the shop. Piles of paperwork and imporatant looking documents in her hands. She plonks the large wad of papers on the desk and proceeds to look about the place. Seemingly unhappy with the cleaning she reaches over to a rope on the wall and pulls. The same young child as before comes running through a back door and bows*

Get this place cleaned up, I leave it for a couple of days and it looks like a mess. I want this place spotless by the time I am back here to work tommorrow morning! Oh and fetch me some Worm Wood Tea. And be snappy about it!

*She sits down in her chair as the boy scampers off. Leaning on her desk she steeples her fingers and looks over at those who are about*

So...I guess you would like to hear about what I have managed to arrange and how much money I have left in the 'kitty' as you human's say?

well..I've left you a small amount of gold to play with if you so wish. Well, all in all after food, decorations and some entertainment I have left you 43 gold and 3 silver. But then again you knew that the entrance fee was mainly to accomadate such things yes?

Well I also thought that you may want to hire some of your own people as well. So I didn't spend all of it.

As to what I spent it on well...I started off with the decorations. First I got that damn charity boat thing that you wanted ordered, to scale I might add. I also ordered lots of decorations with a nautical feeling too them, I thought that would be appropriate. I've got one of those proper stage magicains too, not the ones you find on the street corner's the ones that Beramode herself would get in for her balls, at least if hes not we can offer him as entertainment to the Beggar King and his lot afterwards.

I also got some of those wonderful singers that have been dotted around the city of late. Three or four of them, one for each room or so should be enough. If not I leave finding some more up to you.

I also hired some jugglers and acrobats as you expressed a wish for them. Oh and a fire eater or two. Though again if you want any more I'll leave that up to you to find.

Finally I managed to order two different bands. One being a grand orchestra type that you wanted as 'background sound' for the main hall. The other is for those people that will feel the need to dance on the night. On this regard I looked for a band that could play to request dependant upon the mood.

Vitalany, that's perfect- Thank you. I'll give some of that money to Lisa so she can hire some extra serving staff- we're going to need them- Also I need to get a trophy made up for the horse racing and a golden arrow for the archery- the rest can be an emergency fund!

*Rushes out to get that done*

_________________"I'll give you the octopus, I hate the way it looks!"

*returns* (Refgirl please deduct cost from remaining money and let me know if the Ablion Army are willing to help out! )

Right- and now to sort out the order of events- a copy of this to go to everyone who needs it.

1- Preparation -First thing in the morning gather all the guards who will be providing security (Hopefully a contingent from the Albion Army should be present) Ishtar, Cern and Ariel brief them on security and establish no go areas. The grounds and house to be searched thoroughly (Nick can search "sensitive" areas himself).

Then we let in the extra staff Lisa has hired to start decorating and preparing food. We'll need them to sort out the Main hall for the main part of the "ball" and the various acts and announcements throughout the evening, one of the smaller halls for the "dancier" band and one of the larger lounges for the VIP area. We'll also need an archery range set up and a track marked up.

2- Pre ball arrivals. Direct the various entourages to set up camp within the grounds of the house. Admit the various performers and entertainers and let them set up. Let Eloraine and her people arrive and set up. Admit the people of Gamay so they can start socialising and making merry (and building a party atmosphere) set up model of ship and place donation buckets sround house and grounds.

3- The Ball- afternoon - Official "arrivals" - announced by Nick's butler. Background music and entertainment in the grounds- announcement of the Archery Contest of Horse Racing. Announcement that people who make significant donations in person will have their names hoisted in the rigging of the model ship and the largest donot by the end of the evening will be named patron of the charity. Bodge to run the betting on the horses- make sure it's fair enough but ultimately- that the "house wins". Light refreshment served- Drinks and nibbles.

4- The Ball - evening- Music and dancing- main foord served- lots of wine! Merry making in the grounds. Auction- Vitalany to officiate - sale of - arrows from the realm of the Banshee Queen- Elven crafts - the right to name the ship- an "adventure" in the land of the woodwose- a trip with the infamous Captain Rumm and other donated gifts.

Prize giving (Archery and Horse racing) Announcement of largest donor and presentation to The Mistress of her new pony. Then on with the entertainments- stage magician and guests invited to perform.- Party until we drop.

Nick to play host in the VIP area- Vitalany to host auction and mingle - Ariel to run house security - Ishtar and Cern to run outside- but do mingle as well! Bodge to mingle and keep an eye out. I'll be steward for the vening- if you need stuff, call me.

Good luck to everyone! (Refgirl, I assume that you'll start a new thread for the ball)

_________________"I'll give you the octopus, I hate the way it looks!"